Implement convertible between use configuration and transport configuration

Abstract

The present forwardly-folding implement includes a telescoping tongue assembly, a main frame, a folding frame assembly, a rear frame assembly, left and right wing frame assemblies, and a readily replaceable toolbar assembly. The folding frame assembly is pivotally attached to the tongue assembly and to the left and right wing frame assemblies. The wing frame assemblies pivot vertically and horizontally from the rear frame assembly and optionally include powered wheel mechanisms or assist assemblies, which hydraulically pivot components of the instant implement between transport and operational configurations. When the present implement is being configured for transport, the tongue assembly is extended as the folding frame assembly and left and right wing frame assemblies are folded generally transversely to the rear frame assembly. Then, the wheel mechanisms are pivoted upwardly so that outboard portions of the wing frame assemblies are totally supported by the folding frame assembly.

1 . An implement towable by a prime mover and having a transport position and an operational position, the implement comprising: 
 a telescoping tongue for attaching to the prime mover;    a main frame attached to the tongue;    a transport assembly comprising at least one of a plurality of ground engaging wheels and a plurality of ground engaging tracks, the transport assembly positioned under and supporting the main frame;    a folding frame pivotally attached to the main tongue, the folding frame comprising a pair of links;    a rear frame pivotally attached to the main frame and movable upwardly and downwardly; and    a left wing frame and a right wing frame, the left and right wing frames hinged to the rear frame assembly and pivoting from the folding frame,    the rear frame and left and right wing frames jointly pivotable between a raised transport position and a lowered operational position, the left and right wing frames pivoted with respect to the rear frame to be folded generally forwardly when in the transport position and to be generally parallel to the rear frame when in the operational position.    
   
   
       2 . The implement of  claim 1 , the left wing frame and the right wing frame each comprising a wheel mechanism with a ground engaging wheel for engagement of the ground in the operational position but not the transport position.  
   
   
       3 . The implement of  claim 2 , in which each said wheel mechanisms comprises a bracket and in which each of the respective wing frames is supported by the respective bracket engaged with the folding frame when the implement is in the transport position.  
   
   
       4 . The implement of  claim 3 , in which the wheel mechanism comprises an upwardly and downwardly pivotable wheel and wherein when the wheel is pivoted upwardly the wheel contacts the folding frame when the implement is in the transport position.  
   
   
       5 . The implement of  claim 2 , wherein the folding frame has a front end and the implement further comprising a lifting mechanism positioned on the tongue for elevating and lowering the front end of the folding frame.  
   
   
       6 . The implement of  claim 5 , in which the lifting mechanism elevates the front end of the folding frame with respect to the tongue when the implement is in the transport position and lowers the front end of the folding frame with respect to the tongue when the implement is in the operational position, and wherein the interlocks with the tongue when the implement is in the operational position.  
   
   
       7 . The implement of  claim 5 , in which the tongue comprises an inner member and an outer member and a bracket attached to the outer member and in which the lifting mechanism comprises a yoke pivotally attached to the inner member.  
   
   
       8 . The implement of  claim 7 , in which the yoke pivots between a lowered locked position abutting the bracket and a raised unlocked position in a noncontacting relation to the bracket.  
   
   
       9 . The implement of  claim 7 , in which the folding frame is raised as the yoke pivots from the lowered locked position to the raised unlocked position.  
   
   
       10 . The implement of  claim 2 , in which the left and right wing frames can be pivoted horizontally and vertically at the rear frame.  
   
   
       11 . The implement of  claim 2 , further comprising a first hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the folding frame and each of the left and right wing frames and a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the rear frame and each of the left and right wing frames, the first and second hydraulic cylinders at least partially folding the implement into the transport position and at least partially unfolding the implement into the operational position.  
   
   
       12 . An implement, comprising: 
 a main frame;    a telescoping tongue extending from the main frame;    a yoke attached to the tongue and raisable and lowerable with respect thereto;    left and right diagonal links pivotally connected to the yoke; and    pivotally connected at the left wing, and right wing frames, the left and right wing frames pivotally connected to the respective left and right folding frames, the rear frame assembly vertically and pivotally attached to the main frame,    the implement configurable between a folded position and an unfolded position,    in which the folded position is characterized by the left and right folding frames being generally transverse with respect to the rear frame and the left and right folding frames being elevated by the yoke and by the left and right wing frames, and    in which the unfolded position is characterized by the left and right folding frame assemblies being perpendicular with respect to the rear frame and the rear, left wing, and right wing frames being lowered with respect to the folded position.    
   
   
       13 . The implement of  claim 12 , further comprising a first hydraulic cylinder configuring each of the left and right folding frames between the folded position and the unfolded position.  
   
   
       14 . The implement of  claim 13 , further comprising a second hydraulic cylinder configuring each of the left and right wing frames between the folded position and the unfolded position.  
   
   
       15 . The implement of  claim 12 , in which the left and right folding frames support the respective left and right wing frames when the implement is in the folded position.  
   
   
       16 . An implement having a transport position and an operational position, comprising; 
 a main frame;    a pair of ground engaging tracks supporting the main frame;    a movable tongue extending from the main frame in a principle direction of travel of the implement, the tongue having an extended position and a retracted position;    a rear frame pivotally attached to the main frame and movable upwardly and downwardly,    left and right wing frames pivotally connected to the rear frame to pivot from an extended position in a direction transverse to the principle direction of travel of the implement and a folded position extending along the tongue; and    a pair of links each having a front end and a rear end, the pair of links connecting between the movable tongue and left and right wing frames respectively, whereby when the implement is in the transport position the diagonal links are folded along the tongue with the tongue in its extended position and when the implement is in the operational position, the links are in a diagonal position with respect to the tongue and the left and right wing frames and the tongue is in the retracted position.    
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing an implement, comprising: 
 attaching a telescoping tongue assembly to a main frame;    pivotally coupling a rear frame to a back side of the main frame;    hingedly attaching left and right wing frames to the rear frame;    pivoting connecting left and right folding frame members to the tongue assembly; and    pivotally coupling the left and right folding frame members to the respective left and right wing frames.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , in which the tongue assembly comprises inner and outer members and in which the outer member is attached to the main frame.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of attaching the left and right folding members to the tongue through a yoke, the yoke raisable and lowerable with respect to the tongue.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising the step of pivotally connecting the left and right wing frames to the rear frame so that they are vertically and horizontally pivotable with respect td said rear frame.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , in which the folding frame members can be vertically and horizontally rotated with respect to the tongue assembly.